The 4 Stages of Adrenal Fatigue – HPA-D Dysregulation – Part 2 of 3
In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the symptoms of adrenal fatigue also known as the HPA-D Dysregulation. Today we will discuss the 4 Stages of Adrenal Fatigue now known as HPA-D Dysregulation.
4 Stages of Adrenal Fatigue
- Stage 1: Initial Alarm Phase
- Stage 2: Alarm Phase Continued
- Stage 3: Resistance Phase
- Stage 4: Exhaustion Phase
Stage 1: Initial Alarm Phase
This Stage describes the body’s immediate response to danger. The danger could be something that frightened you (a close call accident) or even a job interview or doctor appointment.
Lab tests at this Stage would show elevated levels of epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, cortisol, DHEA and insulin.
Symptoms may include intermittent tiredness and sleep irregularities. Most people come in and out of this stage without ever reporting any symptoms.
Stage 2: Alarm Phase Continued
The stress response continues in Stage 2 even though the stress event is no longer present.
Lab tests at this Stage would show elevated cortisol but DHEA and other sex hormones begin to drop. These other hormones are being used to create more cortisol.
Symptoms begin to become more noticeable and you may feel “wired but tired”. You feel alert more often than relaxed and tend to crash in the evenings.
Stage 3: Resistance Phase
As the stress response continues, cortisol levels will be high and DHEA levels will be low in the early stages. As Stage 3 progresses, both cortisol and DHEA levels will drop substantially. All hormones are diverted to create the stress hormone cortisol at the expense of the sex hormones. This Stage is where the term “Pregnenolone Steal” makes its name.
Pregnenolone is used by the body to produce cortisol and progesterone. It can either create cortisol, progesterone or DHEA. The body uses DHEA to create estrogen and testosterone. When the body is under chronic stress, pregnenolone is used to create cortisol which reduces the amount of production of progesterone and DHEA. This is referred to as the “Pregnenolone Steal”.
Symptoms in this Stage will be insulin resistance, regular fatigue, low sex drive, lack of enthusiasm but still capable of functioning.
This Stage can often last for months to years.
Stage 4: Exhaustion Phase
The adrenals are “burned out” and the body has lost its ability to adapt to stress. It has run out of ways to manufacture the hormones to continue responding in the “fight or flight” mode. Cortisol and all other hormones are very low. Neurotransmitters are also often low.
Symptoms in this Stage are quite severe and include hypoglycemia, extreme fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, body aches, pain and inflammation, inability to gain or lose weight, muscle and connective tissue problems, and much more.
With the lack of hormone production, the symptoms are quite involved and affect almost all parts of the body.
Whether you are at the beginning stages of adrenal fatigue or believe you are in Stage 4 of adrenal fatigue, there are steps you can take to heal your adrenals with patience and lifestyle changes. Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series: Adrenal Fatigue Recovery